Reclosable carton



Jan. 26, 1965 K. R. SMITH 3,167,238

' RECLOSABLE CARTON Filed May 20, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 11% i INVENTOR.

Kennel/z K. Sm/f/z B'Y g/azagjwg ATTORN EY Jan. 26, 1965 K. R. SMITH RECLOSABLE CARTON 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 20, 1963 INVENTOR. Kennel?) K. 5/77/17) BY wmgwv ATT 0 RN EY 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 20, 1963 INVENTOR. Kenna/h R. Jm/fh BY v @ %0 Q 8 My ATTORNEY This invention relates to improvements in cartons.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a carton which is well adapted for the packaging of relatively heavy products and at the same time may be formed of relatively light paperboard stock 2 and is strong and form retainingly rigid when erected.

Second, to provide a carton having these advantages which may be quickly opened and reclosed in the event the contents are not fully removed.

Third, to provide a carton embodying these advantages which may be shipped in the collapsed form and readily set up to receive contents and conveniently sealed.

Fourth, to provide a carton embodying these advan- :tages which may be economically produced.

Objects relating to details and economies of the inventi'onwill appearfrom the description to follow. The

invention is defined and, pointed out in the claims.

: A preferred embodiment of, the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which: FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a carton embodying myinvention erected and sealed. FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section on a line corresponding to line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3is a perspective View of the carton of FIG. 1 opened for access to contents. I

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view corresponding to FIG. 2 illustrating the carton reclosed after it has been opened, as shown in FIG. 3.

" FIG. 5 is a plan view of the blank from which the carton' is formed.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of another adaptation of my invention. f FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective View of a modified-form or embodliment of my invention erected, fully closed or sealed.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the modified form of FIG. 7 with the carton partially opened.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary horizontal section on a line corresponding to line 99 of FIG. 7. FIG. 10 is a fragmentary vertical section on a line corresponding to line 1010 of FIG. 7.

' FIG. 11 is a plan view of the blank from which the embodiment of my invention, illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8, 9

and 10, is formed.

FIG. 12 is a collapsed view of the embodiment of my l invention shownin FIGS. 7-12 inclusive.

Cartons embodying my invention are well adapted for use in packaging food products and both embodiments of my invention illustrated are adapted for the packaging of relatively heavy food products, for example as so called ice cream novelties which are individually wrapped and packaged in multiples for retail sale. However, it should ,be understood that cartons embodying my invention are adapted for packaging various products which it is desirableto have sealed' initially but for which it is also desirable to have access for the removal of a portion of the contents and then reclosing the carton.

I have illustrated two embodiments of my invention,

tone ernbodiment being illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 inclusive and the other in FIGS. 7-12 inclusive. Both of these embodiments are highly desirable.

v The embodiment of my invention illustrated in FIGS. 16 inclusive is desirably formed of an integral blank illustrated in FIG. 5. This embodiment comprises the bottom 1, front wall 2, and rear wall 3 hingedly connected United States Patent 0 foraminations.

3,157,238 Patented Jan. 25, 1965 to the bottom 1 by the score lines 4. The end walls 5 are hingedly connected to the bottom 1 by the score lines 6. The front and rear walls 2 and 3 are provided with end flaps 7 having tongues 8 on their outer ends engageable in the angled slits 9 in the end walls 5, the flaps 7 being disposed on the outer sides of the end walls 5 in interlocking, supporting engagement therewith.

The top wall 10 is hingedly connected to the upper edge of the rear wall 3 by the score line 11 and it is provided with afront wall member 12 hingedly connected to its front or swinging edge by the score line 13. The top 10 is also provided with outer end Wall members 14 which are hingedly connected thereto by the score lines 15. The top wall 10 has transversely spaced fracturing foraminations 16 therein and the. front wall member 12 has severing slits or foraminations 17. The top 10, in this embodiment, has slits 18 therein disposed in laterally spaced parallel relation to the tear foraminations 16 When the carton is erected, the top end members 14 are secured to the body portion end walls 5, desirably by adhesive as conventionally illustrated at 19, see FIG. 4, and the portions of the front wall 12 at the outer side of the severing foraminations 17 are adhesively secured to the front wall 2 of the body member. This arrangement provides the top with an opening and with a closure member 20 therefor hinged at 22 and having a portion 21 on its front end. The front portion 21 of the closure member constitutes a fingerpiece and is desirably provided with a score 23 spaced from its lower edge to facilitate grasping. The slits 18 prevent peeling of paperboard giving a clean opening and provide this closure member 20 with seal elements 24.

The embodiment of my invention shown in FIG. 6

illustrates an adaptation of my invention to an elongated type of carton 26, the closure member 27 for the opening being substantially the same as that described but extending longitudinally of the elongated carton. This figure is included merely to show the wide adaptation of my invention. v The embodiment of my invention illustrated in FIGS. 712 inclusive is formed of a single cut and scored blank of paperboard stock or the like, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 and it comprises a bottom 30, side walls 31 and 32 hingedly connected to the bottom by the scores 33 and a top 34 dimensioned to correspond. to the bottom and hingedly connected to the upper edge of the side wall 32 by the score 35.

On its otheredge, thetop is provided with. a sealing flap 36' connected thereto at 37 and disposed-onthe inner side of the'wall 31 and secured thereto desirably by'adhesive and throughout its length. I

The side wall 31 is provided with end flaps 3S and the side wall 32 is provided with end flaps 39. The bottom is provided with end flaps 40 and 41 while the top is provided with outer end wall members 42 and 43 which overlap the end flaps 40 and 41 on'the bottom and are secured thereto desirably by adhesive. 7;

The top 34 has laterally spaced foraminations 44 desirably of angular shape as is illustrated and it has a hinging score 45 at the inner end of and extending between these The end Wall 43 has downwardly converging foraminations 44 merging with the foraminations in the top or forming continuations of the foraminations 'in the top. These foraminations 44 terminateadjacent the upper ends of the laterally'spaced notches 46 which provide a finger tab 47.

The inner end flap 41 is provided with downwardly converging severing scores 48 which are desirably spaced inwardly somewhat from the severing scores 44 in the end wall 43, see FIGS. 8 and 9. The end wall 43 is secured by adhesive 49 to the inner end flap 41 including the removable portion 50 thereof between the severing sc 8 a dthere is a s s lil a ve n or 51 otfsetslightly from the juncture ofv the end wall po'rt1on 50 with the botto'nysee FIG. 11.

filling, the other end is-clofsedland. sealed. Various forms being a hinging score. in-the top wall at the inner ends of said fracturing foraminations providing a hinge connection for the portion betweensaidfracturin'g foraminations,

-si1ch portion constituting a closure member, the adhesive for securing the top member front wallfto the front wall of the body member being at theouter sides of said frac- -"turing foraminations therein, said teartoraminations beling spaced. and. of'such length as to provide a contents of sealing material may be used for securing the sealing f flap 36 to the side wall .31 and for securing the end flaps and end walls in their erected position.

' When erecting the carton of FlGSQT-lZLIand particu- I larly when th'einnefendfiaia 41 is turned into erected position, the perforation 51 will separate and since the flap 41 is vertical to the bottom.'panel-.3.0, :the edge51 will protrude from in FIG. 10.

the plane of thebottom as illustrated When it is" desired to open thefilled cartonofthe' ernbodiment of. FIGS. 1-6, inclusive, the.finger tab 23 is grasped and anupwardpullresults in fracturing'along'the severing lines described V In opening theernbodiment of my invention illustrated in FIGS. 7-12 ;inclus ivJjthe protruding edgeof the re r movable portion 50 is grasped and an outward pull'sev; j

ers the partsalong the lines .48 and al'ongthe fracturing lines 44 in. the. end Wall 43. The se'verable portion '50 of the end flap. 41 of thebottom also serves to stiffen effective fingerpiece for. opening the carton. both embodiments of. my. invention the-cart on .is opened. 'bya single outward and upward pull. The end wallmembers and 41,. inIthe embodiment of FIGS:

front and rear Walls. 3 1' and 32i-by' the score lines .53 and gthe -end members 42 and .43..are connectedto the ends of the top wall by the score lines 54 5 The embodiment of my invention shownin FIGS 7 -1 2 more completely sealed when the'carton'is reclos'ed,

. 7 12, are connected .to thefhottom by the score line 52. The end wallrnember-s 3,8 and 39 are connected to the accessopening in the top wall,-

' 2. A carton formed of fiberboard cut and scored to provide 'a 'body' memberlincluding a. bottomand front and rear and end walls of substantially the same height,

the rear and-front wallshavin'g end flaps disposed on the outer sides. of the end walls and supportedly connected thereto When the .Icarton iserected, and a top member including ;a top wall .hingedly connected to. thef upper edge ofthe'rear walland having outer front and end Wall members of substantially the height of the front and end 1 wallsof the body member and. overlying'and adhesively secured thereto when the carton is. erected, the top wall and its front wall-member having parallel laterally spaced fracturing foraminations-therein, the adhesive 'for securhinggthe top member-front wall to the front walllof the 'body member being at the outer sides of said fracturing 2'5 i spaced and of such length as to v I opening in 'the top Wall. or reinforce the removable. portion 47 and provides an .i

3.1-A carton :formed; of paperboard cutand scored to pro'videa f-body;portion including1a bottom, front and 30' rear and end' walls,=and a topfmer'nber including a top wallhingedly connected to theupper edge of the rear wall and haying-outei front and end wall members overlying and secured to the'corresponding wallsfof thef body member when thehcarton is erected, the top wall and its front wall-member havingmerging laterally spaced frac- 'turing .zones therein and havin'g: a hinging .score' at the inner ends. of said fracturing zones providing a hinge Oneof the primaryadvantages of both. embodiments of my invention illustrated is ithati the. cartonsv are effectively sealed and withstand rough handling and maybe easily and quickly opened. t L a V It will be understood that no. attempt has been made to fully'show the rough edgerportionsi which result from f ctu in p r ions i p in While the cartons embodying-my invention. are adapted .for many uses, embodiments illustrated are, well- 7 adaptedv'for hand ing; of relatively. heavy food. products such as individually wrapped ice. cream novelties;

I have illustrated anddes'c'ribedltwo highlydesirable embodimentsof-my invention. I"have notillustrated .or [5 described; other embodimentsor adaptations as iitjs believedp hat this disclosure. .will enable those skilledin the art to embody-onadapt, my invention as may be desired and, itwill. he. understood that the shape. and relativedi- I mensions'may be greatly varied.

1 Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as 1 new and desired'to secure by zLetters Patent is:- L A carton tormed of fiberboardcutand scored to and. rearand end walls of substantially the same height, the .rear and front walls," having. end flaps disposed. on

'the outer sides. of the end walls and supportedly connected thereto when the carton is erected, and a top member including a top wallhingedly connected torthe 'upper edge of the rear. wall-and havingouter frontand end wall members ofsubstantially'the. height of the front and end walls of the body member: and .overlying and ing end flaps of substantialverticalwidthoverlapping the said inner end wall flaps on said side Walls, and end walls; integral with the top"overlappingsaidinner end a Wall and said bottom end flaps and adhesively' secured connection for theportion between said fracturing zones whichconstitutes a closure member, the means for securing the top' member to" the front'wall of'thebody .member being disposed at the outer sides of said frac" turingzonestherein, said fracturing zones being spaced andof such length as to provide -.a contents accessopening in the topf wall, the portion .of'the top member front wall between said top foraminations'haying afingerpiece at its lowe'rend: w v

4. A carton formed of fiberboard cutand scored to provide a bottom, sidewalls and a top, the side walls having inner end wall flaps of a, height corresponding substantially to the height of the'side; walls, the 'bottomhavto said bottom end fia ps, said top having laterall spaced fracturing forarninations therein'extending' from one end thereofrand havinga; hinging score at 'the inner, ends of said fracturing foraminations providing a hinge connection for the portion of the top'between'said fracturing foraminations therein, the adjacent end wall having: downwardly converging forarninations. extending from. a

h said fracturing foraminations in 'said top wall, the adja-- provide.a bQdy -member including a bottom and front cent bottom end flap having-downwardly converging forammatrons therein spaced laterally outward relative to- .theinner .edgesof said inner end wall flaps, there also being a fracturing z'onebetweedsaid severing foramina- .tions ofiset from the juncture ofthe bottom end flap with the bottom to provide a .projecting edge in the erected canton, said end Wall also having'notchesextending upwardly from its' lower edge aligned with the lower ends of said fracturing foraminations therein coacting with the pro ecting edgeof'thefracturing 'zone inthe' bottom.

, end flap to providea finger tab. for the severable portion of said 'end"wall,1-the portions of said side wall end flaps extending nwardly from said foraminations constituting supports for the severable portion of said top and end wall. Y

'5. A carton formed of fiberboard cut and scored to provide a bottom, side walls and a top, the side walls having inner end wall flaps of a height corresponding substantially to the height of the side walls, the bottom having end flaps-of substantial vertical width overlapping the said inner end wall flaps on said side walls, and end walls integral with the top overlapping side inner end Wall and said bottom end flaps and adhesively secured to said bottom end flaps, said top having laterally spaced fracturing foraminations therein extending from one end thereof and having a hinging score at the inner ends of said fracturing foraminations providing a hinge connection for the portion of the top between said fracturing foraminations therein, the adjacent end wall having foraminations extending from said fracturing foraminations in said top wall, the adjacent bottom end flap having foraminations therein spaced laterally outward relative to the inner edges of said inner end wall flaps, there also being a fracturing zone between said severing foraminations spaced inwardly from the juncture of the bottom end flap with the bottom, the portions of said side wall end flaps extending inwardly from said foraminations constituting supports for the severable portion of said top end wall.

6. A carton formed of fiberboard cut and scored to provide a bottom, side walls and a top, the side walls having inner end wall flaps of a height corresponding substantially to the height of the side walls, the bottom having end flaps of substantial vertical width overlapping the said inner end wall flaps on said side walls, and end walls integral with the top overlapping said side wall and said bottom end flaps and adhesively secured to said bottom end flaps, said top having laterally spaced fracturing foraminations therein extending from one end thereof and having a hinging score at the inner ends of said fracturing foraminations providing a hinge connection for the portion of the top between said fracturing foraminations therein, the adjacent end wall having foraminations extending from said fracturing foraminations in said top wall, the adjacent bottom end flap having downwardly converging foraminations therein spaced laterally outward relative to the inner edges of said inner end wall flaps, there also being a fracturing zone between said foraminations and extending into the bottom, the portions of said side wall end flaps extending inwardly from said foraminations constituting supports for the severable portion of said top and end wall.

7. A carton formed of fiberboard cut and scored to provide a bottom, side walls and a top, the side walls having inner end wall flaps of a height corresponding substantially to the height of the side walls, the bot- Q torn having end flaps of substantial vertical width overlapping the said inner end wall flaps on said side walls, and end walls integral with the top overlapping said inner end wall and said bottom end flaps and adhesively secured to said bottom end flaps, said top having laterally spaced fracturing foraminations therein extending from one end thereof and having a hinging score at the inner ends of said fracturing foraminations providing a hinge connection for the portion of the top between said fracturing foraminations therein, the adjacent end wall having foraminations extending from said fracturing foraminations in said top wall, the adjacent bottom end flap having foraminations therein spaced laterally outward relative to the inner edges of said inner end wall flaps, there also being a' fracturing Zone between the ends of said'severing foraminations.

8. A carton formed of fiberboard cut and scored to provide a bottom, side walls and a top, the side walls having inner end wall flaps of a height corresponding substantially to the height of the side walls, the bottom having end flaps overlapping the said inner end wall flaps on said side walls, and end walls integral with the top overlapping said side wall and said bottom end flaps and secured to said bottom end flaps, said top having laterally spaced fracturing foraminations therein extending from one end thereof, the adjacent end wall having foraminations extending from said fracturing foraminations in said top wall, the adjacent bottom end flap having downwardly converging foraminations therein spaced laterally outward relative to the inner edges of said inner end wall flaps, there also being fracturing foraminations between said severing foraminations in said bottom end flap, said end wall also having a finger tab portion on the portion thereof between said foraminations therein, the portions of said end flap extending inwardly from said foraminations constituting supports for the severable portion of said end wall.

9. A carton comprising a bottom, side walls, and a top, the side walls having inner end wall flaps, the bottom having end flaps overlying said inner end wall flaps of said side walls and end walls on the ends of the top overlying said side wall and bottom end flaps when the carton is erected, the top having laterally spaced foraminations therein extending from one end wall thereof, that end wall having laterally spaced foraminations therein extending from the bottom edge thereof and merging with the f0- raminations in said top wall, the adjacent bottom end flap having vertically extending severing foraminations therein which extend at their lower ends into the bottom, there being severing foraminations in the bottom extending between the ends of said foraminations extended therein, said end wall being secured to the bottom flap at the outer sides of and intermediate said foraminations in said bottom flap, the removable section of said bottom flap secured to said removable section of said end wall constituting a reinforcing means therefor and its lower edge constituting a fingerpiece.

10. A carton comprising a bottom, side walls, and a top, the side walls having inner end wall flaps, the bottom having end flaps overlying said inner end wall flaps of said side walls and end walls on the ends of the top overlying said side wall and bottom end flaps when the carton is erected, the top having laterally spaced foraminations therein extending from one end wall thereof, that end wall having laterally spaced foraminations therein extending from the bottom edge thereof and merging with the foraminations in said top wall, the adjacent bottom end flap having vertically extending severing foraminations therein, said end wall being secured to the bottom flap at the outer sides of and intermediate said foraminations in said bottom flap, the removable section of said bottom flap secured to said removable section of said end wall constituting a reinforcing means therefor and its lower edge constituting a fingerpiece.

11. A carton formed of stock cut and scored to provide a bottom, side walls, and a top, the side walls having inner end wall flaps, the bottom having inner end wall flaps overlying said inner end wall flaps of said side walls, and end walls on the ends of the top overlapping said side wall and bottom end flaps when the carton is erected, the top having laterally spaced foraminations therein extending from one end wall thereof, said end walls having laterally spaced foraminations therein extending from the bottom edge thereof and merging with the foraminations of the top wall, the adjacent bottom end flap having vertically extending severing foraminations therein extending at their lower ends into the bottom, there being severing foraminations in the bottom exending between said severing foraminations therein and coacting therewith to define a severable portion in the bottom, said end wall being secured to said bottom flap at the outer sides of and to said removable portion of said bottom end flap, the removable portion of said bottom end flap to which said removable section of said end wall is secured constituting a reinforcing means therefor with the severable portion of the bottom when the carton is erected projecting below the severing portion of the end wall 'and eonstitritingna I 12. A'ca rton fonnedof 'stock cutjhndiscoredi to, pro l vide' aj'b ottom, side Walls, and a top, the side walls havg.

ing inner end Wall flaps,"the*bottornhaving inner 'end wall fine a severnble jpo'rtion jvin the bottong; said end well beingsecnre'd to said'removable portion oftsaid bottom 7 end" flap, ,saidseverableqportion of the bottom when tlie cartonijs' in; erected positionbein'g severed from the bottom and projecting-downwardly; therefrom and eonstitw v tingafingerpiebe, 1

tophaving laterally. spacedforaininations ,thereinextendr' ing from one end wall'thereof, said endw alls having later-- tally spaced foraminations therein extending from the bot tom edge thereof and mergingfwith' th'e terminations of the .top wall, the;adjacent bottom end flap having vertically extending severing fora'min'ations thereinextending at-their lower ends into the bottom, there being severing foraminations in the bottom extending between said severing foraminations therein and coa'cting therewith to de- References UNrrEn srnTjEs ATENTS V 1/355 Weiss. I

5/49 ,'B al1.--

2/61 QThompson 6/ 62 l-Mey ers.

Pi r imaryllix a minr 

1. A CARTON FORMED OF FIBERBOARD CUT AND SCORED TO PROVIDE A BODY MEMBER INCLUDING A BOTTOM AND FRONT AND REAR AND END WALLS OF SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME HEIGHT, THE REAR AND FRONT WALLS HAVING END FLAPS DISPOSED ON THE OUTER SIDES OF THE END WALLS AND SUPPORTEDLY CONNECTED THERETO WHEN THE CARTON IS ERECTED, AND A TOP MEMBER INCLUDING A TOP WALL HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO THE UPPER EDGE OF THE REAR WALL AND HAVING OUTER FRONT AND END WALL MEMBERS OF SUBSTANTIALLY THE HEIGHT OF THE FRONT AND END WALLS OF THE BODY MEMBER AND OVERLYING AND ADHESIVELY SECURED THERETO WHEN THE CARTON IS ERECTED THE TOP WALL AND ITS FRONT WALL MEMBER HAVING PARALLEL LATERALLY SPACED FRACTURING FORAMINATIONS THEREIN, THERE BEING A HINGING SCORE IN THE TOP WALL AT THE INNER ENDS OF SAID FRACTURING FORAMINATIONS PROVIDING A HINGE CONNECTION FOR THE PORTION BETWEEN SAID FRACTURING FORAMINATIONS SUCH PORTION CONSTITUTING A CLOSURE MEMBER, THE ADHESIVE FOR SECURING THE TOP MEMBER FRONT WALL TO THE FRONT WALL OF THE BODY BEING AT THE OUTER SIDES OF SAID FRACTURING FORAMINATIONS THEREIN, SAID TEAR FORAMINATIONS BEING SPACED AND OF SUCH LENGTH AS TO PROVIDE A CONTENTS ACCESS OPENING IN THE TOP WALL. 